Page 41 of Shattered Secrets
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Last night was rough.” And he was an idiot who’d thought their nice breakfast had been enough to take her mind off what had happened. He racked hisbrain for anything he could do to help. “Do you need a hand replacing anything?”
“What do you mean?” She swiveled on the barstool to face him, her right arm coming to rest on the island.
Shit. Whatdidhe mean? “You mentioned to Quinn last night that your purse was stolen. I assume that means you don’t have a driver’s license. Do you need me to drive you anywhere? Maybe over to one of the big box stores over on Whidbey Island if you need to replace anything?”
Her shoulders slumped. “That’s kind of you, but no. When Daisy was napping earlier, I called the bank and put a freeze on my checking account. The Hudson branch’s machine that makes debit cards is getting repaired and won’t be working until at least Tuesday, so I have to wait until then.”
“I’m more than happy to pay for whatever you and Daisy need.” Matt held up his hand when her mouth opened. By the glint in her eyes, he knew she was going to protest. “You can pay me back later.” No way in hell was he taking a dime from her.
“Um, you know, I think we’re okay. They only took my purse. That was it. But...” She shifted in her seat, looking anywhere but at him.
He placed his hand on hers, and she stilled. “But what, Scar?”
Her brown gaze shot to his, then down to their connected hands. “This makes me sound so dumb, but how do I get a new driver’s license? I’ve never... lost one before.”
Matt refused to let that comment slide. “Look at me, Scar,” he said, squeezing her hand. He waited until she complied. The doubt and uncertainty in her expression riled up something in him. Something protective. Something that was borderline possessive. “Don’t call yourself dumb, sweetheart. You’re the furthest thing from that. Hear me?”
A tiny smile tipped the corner of her lips, but her eyes remained dejected. “You’re really sweet, Matt.”
It killed him that she didn’t believe him. Didn’t believe in herself.
Releasing her hand, he ran the backs of his fingers down her jawline before clasping his hands together in his lap. He had to stop touching her before he hauled her into his arms. He’d never seen anyone who looked like they needed a hug more. “Scarlet Miller, don’t sell yourself short. You’re not dumb. In fact, you’re pretty damn amazing.”
She shook her head. “Like I said, you’re sweet. But I don’t even know how to get a new driver’s license.”
Matt shrugged. “You said it yourself: you’ve never lost one before.Andyou’re fairly new to the state. Cut yourself some slack.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to call her kid again. To remind himself how young she was. But that bullshit needed to stop. It was time to accept he was stupidly attracted to her. He was a damn adult and could deal with it. Scarlet needed him tohelp. Not push her away because he feared lusting after her.
“I assume you had a Washington driver’s license and not one from Arizona?”
She nodded.
“I’m pretty sure you can just do it online, then.”
“I won’t need to go into a driver’s licensing office?”
His eyes narrowed as he tried to recall how the Department of Licensing’s system worked. “I don’t think so. We can hop on my computer when we get back home to double-check, but I’m pretty sure you can just fill out a form and print out a temporary license, and then they mail a new one to you in a few weeks.”
Her exhale was long and slow, her relief apparent. “Oh, okay. Great. Thanks.”
“No problem,” he said, but the intensity of her reaction raised the hairs on his neck. Something was off, and it made worry crawl up his spine like tiny spiders.
Matt had been a detective for over eighteen years. He knew when someone was keeping secrets. And though he hated to admit it, he suspected Scarlet was doing just that. But he also knew he couldn’t pry whatever she was hiding out of her. He needed to gain her trust if he wanted to be privy to her full story. To do that, he needed to be a friend.
He gestured to the love seat near the island. At her small nod, he stood and extended his hand. He held his breath as he waited to see what she’d do.
Only when her smaller hand settled in his did he remember to breathe. They settled at the opposite ends of the love seat, but just half a cushion separated them. From their spots, they could see Daisy playing with the cats across the room, but they were still far enough away for a private conversation.
“Tell me a little bit about yourself, Scar.”
She smiled, but he could see the strain behind it. That was the last thing he wanted.
“Oh, there’s really not much to tell.”
Slow and steady, Alvarez.“Well, you know I have a brother. What about you? Any siblings?”
“I’m an only child. At least, as far as I know, anyway. I never met my dad, so... who knows?”
